Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable List)

Last year, I thought about adding a touch of adventure to the usual holiday festivities. A Christmas lights scavenger hunt seemed like the perfect idea for family and friends. While we often focus on children’s parties, this time, I have a delightful twist in mind for you and your loved ones.

Let me walk you through how such an adventure could unfold, and I’ll also share a free printable Christmas lights scavenger hunt list to get you started.

Last Updated: September 25, 2024  |  4 min Read

We started in our neighborhood, armed with a checklist of twinkling treasures to find. From classic Santa displays to the most creative light arrangements, every corner held a potential surprise. With our cameras, we documented not just the lights but the smiles and the sheer delight of the hunt. As we wrapped up the scavenger hunt, we gathered for hot cocoa and shared stories of our favorite finds.

Affiliate disclosure: As Amazon Associates we earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Planning Your Scavenger Hunt

Getting ready for our family Christmas light scavenger hunt, I’ve whipped up a fun plan to make sure everyone has a blast!

Prepare a kid-friendly list

Print our list below. It contains items that are exciting for children to find, such as Santa Claus decorations, reindeer displays, or lit snowmen.

2. Our Printable Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt List

Grab your hunt list here! You can also display the QR code below for participants to scan, leading them to the same printable and saving you a ton on printing.

3. More Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt Ideas

For future Christmas light scavenger hunts, I am also thinking of ways to sprinkle in extra fun and value for this annual family event. Here are some of my ideas!

Charity Drive

Combine the joy of giving with the thrill of the hunt. Participants can collect and donate items for a local charity as they enjoy the dazzling Christmas light displays.

Holy Places Illumination Tour

Explore the spiritual side of the season by incorporating visits to local churches or places of worship with beautifully lit decorations. This adds a reflective and sacred dimension to the traditional scavenger hunt.

Donut Delight Adventure

Add a sweet twist to the hunt by including stops at local donut shops.

Car Caravan Extravaganza

Elevate the experience by turning it into a car caravan. Families or friends can decorate their cars with festive lights and decorations, creating a merry parade that cruises through the neighborhoods in search of dazzling displays.

Santa’s Sleigh Ride (Carriage Ride)

If available in your area, consider a horse-drawn carriage ride for an enchanting twist. Participants can enjoy the festive lights from the cozy comfort of a carriage, adding a touch of magic to the scavenger hunt.

Funky Festive Attire Challenge

Spice up the hunt by adding a dress-up challenge. Participants can wear their wackiest and most festive holiday attire while searching for Christmas lights. It adds a playful and humorous element to the traditional scavenger hunt.

Themed Holiday Trivia Hunt

Infuse a bit of brain-teasing fun by incorporating holiday-themed trivia questions into the scavenger hunt. Participants can answer questions related to Christmas traditions, history, or pop culture as they navigate the festive displays. Check out our Christmas trivia resources below.

4. Additional Christmas Scavenger Hunts (With Free Printables)

5. More Christmas Party Games

Wrapping Up Our Christmas Lights Scavenger Hunt

The Christmas lights scavenger hunt has now woven itself into our holiday traditions. It transformed a simple stroll into a festive adventure, proving that sometimes the most memorable moments are found in the glow of twinkling lights on a cold winter’s night.

It was my pleasure to share with you my Christmas lights scavenger experience and the Christmas lights scavenger hunt list I used with my family.

Happy Christmas hunting!